No Hiding in the Dark

On By Michele LeeIn new beginnings, Verse
Who am I in the darkness?
when a whisper wakes me from sleep
when I am nothing but a barely visible heap

Who am I in the darkness?
when a mockingbird chirping in the distance
sings a delicate song of hope and innocence

Who am I in the darkness?
when I cannot hide in the sheltering light
when all is revealed during a forthright night

Who am I in the darkness?
when nocturnal shadows tiptoe on my inert form
on my grave they will dance, when from this life I am torn

When Grandfather Time chimed at midnight
the sleep-robbing sounds became one harmonious song.

Who are you in the darkness?
       they did repeat…
            inviting me to sing along

This game I do not want to play –
I do not want to dance with shadows
or sing a song that is only one line long,
but if peaceful sleep is my prize
then I will warily accept their late-night invite.

Who am I in the darkness?
I am both nothing and everything I ever hope to be.
I am a shapeless character without a name, a role, or identity.
It is too dark to notice these trivialities, and midnight does not care.
My true essence and heart revealed are all that matter here.

Darkness knows that beyond my beating heart (buried in my core)
is a treasure of gold ore, found in its rawest stage, impure –
ready to be purified and molded into the shape of a strong Goddess Warrior!

A week that began with a special trip with my daughter, Sammi Lee, ended with having the privilege of attending a beautiful wedding set in a picturesque outdoor scene – a fairytale love story. 💕 With the couple’s permission, I will eventually show photos of the gorgeous event. A breathtaking (and tear inducing) ceremony, made even more special following our year of canceled or postponed special engagements. Speaking of special engagements… Sammi Lee will be walking across the University of Oregon stage soon, wearing her cap and gown. 👏🏼 She will also be wearing a mask during the virtual event – online is better than not at all. Thank you for visiting and reading. Enjoy and be well. 💗 Michele

Photo 1: Pexels Photo 2: my dancing goddess warrior spirit 💃🏼💓 (background painting by Sammi Lee)

© 2021 Michele Lee Sefton.

79 thoughts on “No Hiding in the Dark”

    1. Thank you so much, Ingrid.😊 This poem began in a different direction and then this question kept showing up, so I let it have the leading role (haha). I appreciate your noticing and commenting. Darkness, in all its forms, can be quite revealing, yes, especially when the darkness is surrounded by complete quiet and stillness, allowing/motivating a deep dive into self. 🙏🏼

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  4. A beautiful poetic verse refined with shapely form, your dance with words flows like a river song, as your essence glows golden as the moon, overwhelming every dark knight ✍✨✨ Thanks for sharing, Michele 😊

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  9. Oh, Michele, you’ve created a masterpiece of love, life, inquiry, and hope. I adore this deeply moving poem, which for me points to so many facets of the human experience….I love it, my dear friend. ❤✨❤

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      1. Indeed, Michele. It is such an exploratory process, within yourself, and then with friends, like you, my dear friend. I completely agree. So much fun. You’re most welcome. Always. ❤✨🤗

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Absolutely, Jeff. The process truly is fun, creative, inspiring, and many other things. I sometimes think… I should take a week “off” from posting (writing), but the words have their own agenda.😆 I do enjoy the process of writing and exploring, so I am content with the rigorous schedule. haha! Honestly, I don’t know how you maintain your poetry-writing pace. Bravo to you, friend. Enjoy! 🤗💗

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    1. Thank you, Kym. 💗 Hilarious! 😂 Thank you for the laugh. I did run into a wall one time, in the middle of the night. I gave myself a shiner. 🤣 So dumb! It’s never wise to fumble around (in life). haha

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  12. The repeat question brings a beautiful rhythm and meaning to this sleep dilemma of what really are we willing to allow to be in the way of our sweet slumber, what will we engage in to find our way with ease into the sweetness of night. I loved your description of being nothing and everything as the midnight doesn’t care …leading up to being the Goddess Warrior, perfect moment for your beautiful picture. I particularly enjoyed the sliver of resonance with your post as my recent poem I shared is called Sleep Chaos, and speaks to similar negotiation between sleeping and waking times.
    Congratulations to Sammy Lee for her graduation, wishes for continued happiness and success ✨

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    1. Pragalbha, I truly appreciate your reflective, engaging, and articulate response. Thank you so much. 🌻 Some questions are worth repeating, I suppose, because there may be multiple answers and to find the answers, or allow the answers to find us, we may need extra time to ponder and process. The Goddess Warrior was a surprise – showing up only at the end. I wrote my way to her it seems. I enjoy finding connections between things (poems, stories, places, etc.), so I love that you found similarities between my post and your recent meditative poem. Universal questions and experiences and ongoing subject matter for poets, dreamers, and deep thinkers. ✨ Thanks again for the thoughtfulness you share throughout your comment.🙏🏼

      You are very kind to congratulate Sammi – thank you. She did it! She was in the last group to walk across the U of O stage. I watched the entire ceremony and I captured her moment on video. Phew! Then I cried. Happy tears and mixed feelings – wanting so much to be there, but also grateful they at least had the virtual ceremony. Have a relaxing and joyful evening and Sunday. Thanks for being you! 💐

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  15. A very womanly and feminine poem, Michele! As I read through it, I found a girl who’s fighting her way back to herself (her divine essence and her true dignity). Isn’t it the story of all of us?! 😃🥰

    Congratulations to Sammi as she made it through the most challenging academic year ever! 💕 She made Mom proud, haha❤️👍

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    1. I love that description, Annabel. Did I write that? Wow! 😂 You would laugh if you saw my three pages of journal scribbles that led to that final poem. Part of the process, that I love. Yes, a universal story that I am happy to contribute to. 😊 Thank you for your insightful comments and for congratulating Sammi – she did it! 💐💗

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      1. Thank YOU, Michele! You wrote it in a such gentle, loving yet decisive feminine tone that it’s unique of your style💕.

        I do appreciate the efforts you pour into each poem and share with us( I’d honored each page even more if I saw the scribbles. It’s a poetess’s inner beauty and wisdom!🥰🌸… there’s so much to tell…)

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      2. Annabel, your words make me smile and warm my heart. Thank you. 💖 Funny you mention wanting to see my scribbles – I wrote a draft yesterday for a post in the near future where I do just that. We shall see. Thank you for your interest. 🙏🏼😊

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Diana. That poem, like so many had an interesting journey from start to finish. One of the ideas that most stood out to me when writing it, was the idea that our true essence is revealed in the dark, both literally and figuratively. I was pleased to discover some gold ore and a goddess warrior at the end of my writing journey. ✨ Have a lovely day and thank you for the hopeful comment. 🥰🌞💗

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  24. Wow, fabulous one dear Michele Lee. Really enjoyed reading it. It was the finest read of the day. Heart touching and the words are beautifully placed. “What am I in the Darkness”. ” I am a shapeless character without a name, a role, or identity.”

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  25. Pingback: No Hiding in the Dark – Mkay city Blogspot

    1. Thank you so much, for both your comments about my poem and about my daughter’s graduation. Woohoo! 🎓👩🏼‍🎓 😁 Yes, darkness can be a struggle and be revealing. The irony of it.

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  29. This is a great poem Michele. Sleep is an interesting phenomena. Shadows dancing and singing through our minds especially as we get toward wake-up time. But you are right it is what is in the core of our being that matters.
    Congratulations on your daughters Graduation!
    Dwight

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    1. Thank you, Dwight. You are very kind. Sleep is interesting and mysterious, yes, and a never-ending source for poetry and deep thinking.✨ Thank you for congratulating Sammi on her accomplishments. 🙏🏼😊

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  32. Pingback: No Hiding in the Dark – Amazing

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